LAS CRUCES - Border Patrol agents seized more than $1.4 million in marijuana over the weekend in southern New Mexico, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Agents foiled two separate drug-smuggling incidents and seized 1,763 pounds of marijuana in the Animas Valley of southwestern New Mexico, the release said.

On Saturday, agents in Lordsburg were alerted to a vehicle incursion on a county road south of Animas Valley. Agents deployed a tire deflation device, which disabled the late model Ford pickup.

Two people fled from the pickup into the desert, the release said. Agents detained 33-year-old Miguel Arturo Mendez Zambrano, of Mexico, after a short foot pursuit. The second suspect managed to elude capture and absconded to Mexico.

Upon inspection of the pickup, agents found 205 bundles of marijuana scattered throughout the truck, the release said. The bundles totaled 1,662 pounds, valued at about $1.3 million.

Zambrano was taken into custody and the marijuana was seized by Homeland Security.

In a separate incident Friday morning, agents in Lordsburg arrested three suspected smugglers and seized 101 pounds of marijuana.

Also on Friday, agents working at the checkpoint on Interstate 10, west of Las Cruces, were inspecting vehicles when a Mitsubishi Endeavor arrived, the release said. A canine conducted an inspection on the vehicle and alerted officers to possible contraband inside.

Agents then discovered several bundles of marijuana hidden inside the vehicle. The total weight of the contraband was 66 pounds, with a street value of $52,800. The driver was identified as 19-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez, a U.S. citizen, the release said.

Gonzalez was arrested and the SUV and marijuana were seized, the release said.